The family and friends of a San Diego nanny killed last week when she was struck by an SUV in Torrey Highlands have set up a memorial fund to help with funeral expenses.

The Monserrat Mendez Memorial Fund at Wells Fargo Bank will also go to help the children of Mendez, a 41-year-old single mother. She had a 13-year-old son and 15-year-old daughter.

Friend Ilene Kipnis, who once employed Mendez as a nanny, said contributions to the fund can be made at any Wells Fargo branch.

Mendez, known by the nickname “Monse,” was pushing a 13-month-old boy in a baby stroller shortly before noon Friday when she and the baby were hit by a Toyota 4Runner.

They were in a marked crosswalk at the intersection of Camino del Sur and Via Verrazzano when the crash occurred, authorities said.

The baby was pinned underneath the vehicle and was critically injured. He was transported to Rady Children’s Hospital.

Kipnis said the injured child is improving.

Through Kipnis, Mendez’s family issued a statement saying that they were devastated by her death.

“We are still in shock, but we will always remember Monse as a strong and caring woman,” according to the statement.

teri figueroa • U-T

Trial of two Border Patrol agents accused of lewd acts is under way

vista

Opening statements and testimony got under way Monday in the trial of two U.S. Border Patrol agents accused of committing a lewd act while in the audience of a Cirque du Soleil performance in Del Mar in May.

Kallie Helwig, 25, and Gerald Torello, 35, were off-duty when they attended the acrobatic show “Totem” at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. They face misdemeanor charges, including committing lewd acts in public, battery and annoying a child.

Torello faces an additional count of making a criminal threat.

Deputy District Attorney Tracy Prior told the Vista Superior Court jury that the agents were groping each other during the May 27 matinee show, and that witnesses complained about the pair to security guards.

The prosecutor said that at the end of the show, Helwig and Torello waited at an exit for the woman who had complained about them. Prior said Helwig then punched and injured the woman, a Navy psychiatrist.

Defense attorneys for the pair said the witnesses misconstrued the contact between the agents, and said that they did not start the ensuing confrontation after the show. Instead, the agents were acting in self-defense, the lawyers said.

The psychiatrist, Chai Wu, testified Monday that she saw the couple “kissing and groping, and arms and legs everywhere,” as they were seated on the other side of her husband during the performance.

“They had no shame or consideration,” Wu said.

She said she saw Helwig’s head in Torello’s lap, and then saw young children turn around and look at the couple during a sex act. She tried to call for security guards when she saw Torello “high-five” one of the kids.

Prior said the children’s father also tried to rouse security officers.

Helwig’s defense attorney, Knut Johnson, said his client — whose mother was seated down the row — had a stomach ache, so she leaned onto Torello’s lap, with her head propped up on her arm.

“She watched the show like that. There was no sexual contact whatsoever.” Johnson said.

The agents remain on administrative duty, a Border Patrol spokesman said Monday.

The trial is expected to continue through the week.

teri figueroa • U-T

Tattoo shop employee beaten and robbed by pair outside store

el cajon

Two men beat and robbed an El Cajon tattoo shop employee early Monday.

The victim was asleep inside Classic Tattoo on Broadway near North First Street about 2 a.m. when he was awakened by noise, police said.

He looked outside and saw two men trying to steal his motorcycle, police said. The man ran outside to intervene, but when he confronted the thieves he was beaten and pistol-whipped, police said. The thieves took some money and other items and left.

The victim flagged down a passing motorist, who called for help, police said.

Police with dogs and a sheriff’s helicopter searched the area but did not locate the thieves.

Debbi Baker • U-T

Public’s help sought in locating man with serious health issues

Chula Vista

Police are asking for the public’s help to locate a Chula Vista man with medical issues who has been missing since Saturday.

Robert Chesney, 41, was dropped off at UC San Diego Medical Center about 1 p.m. Saturday by a caregiver, but he did not show up for his appointment and has not been seen since, Chula Vista police said.

He is at an increased risk of seizures because he has not taken his medicine, police said.

Chesney is white, 5 feet 8 inches tall, about 160 pounds with blue eyes and brown hair. He was wearing a black sweatshirt with a San Diego State University logo, a black baseball cap with a Jack Daniels logo and bluejeans.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Chula Vista police at (619) 691-5151.